SELANGAU: Efforts to transform Selangau into a coffee planting hub are gaining momentum with the distribution of 30,000 seedlings to local residents this year.
Selangau MP Edwin Banta said the initiative is part of a long-term strategy to promote high-value crops and generate sustainable rural income.
He said coffee planting could become a new economic source for the interior, while creating opportunities in downstream activities like processing, branding, and marketing.
“We want residents to understand the full value of the coffee industry, from planting to market,” he said during a three-day working visit to the constituency recently.
He added that a special study trip to coffee plantations and factories is being planned for participants under the coffee planting programme.
The visit is meant to expose them to proper management and processing practices to ensure their participation is practical and sustainable.
“This is a holistic approach so that rural involvement in agriculture is not just seasonal, but competitive and long-term,” he said.
During the visit, Edwin also attended local events including the launch of the Ulu Arip Residents Association and a cultural exchange at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Nanga Kua, Sibu.
He stressed that rural development must be planned comprehensively, covering economic, educational and social aspects to ensure lasting community progress.
“Support for efforts like coffee planting is not just about agriculture. It’s a real step toward improving rural livelihoods,” he added.
